Our Models -  They all have happy endings.

This beautiful blonde lab, possibly mixed with a bit of hound, is Kachina, a sweet and loving dog adopted by Lynn about 3 years ago while working at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. The two-year-old was found as a stray picked up by animal control never claimed. Lynn wonders if Kachina was abandoned because of food and environmental allergies plus a hematoma in one ear, causing painful swelling. Health care and the need for a special diet can be expensive. It is tragic to think that someone would just turn a pet out to fend for itself, but this practice is all too prevalent even though there are humane and caring ways to re-home a pet. Too often a pet is brought into a family without considering the long-term commitment that is required and the on-going costs of proper care. Kachina had also recently had a litter of puppies and it is unknown what became of them. Sadly, responsible pet ownership is still lacking in our society. Lynn has given this darling girl the attention and care that she deserves in a forever home filled with love.
Frasier is a big teddy bear of a dog who was adopted by Lynn, (her other rescue, Kachina, is profiled just above). He was turned into a shelter when his family lost their home and were forced to move into an apartment that would not take pets. The shelter called the Best Friends Animal Society because Frasier seemed so adoptable. In fact, Frasier was quickly adopted but he was returned after only a year, again through no fault of his own. By this time, at the young age of seven, he was extremely overweight, he had developed some digestive problems, and he also began to show signs of hip dysplasia due to heredity, exacerbated by the extra pounds. A healthy diet ,sensible exercise and excellent health care brought Frasier back to a normal weight and restored him to his fit and happy self. The love and companionship that he receives from Lynn has also restored his spirit. 
"Loving" a pet with too much food and treats can cut as much as 2 1/2 years off of their already short life. More than 50% of the pets in the USA are overweight or obese. This puts them at a higher risk for heart disease, diabetes and even cancer. Keep your pets by helping them to maintain a healthy weight. Look online for lots of great ideas to help your pets to lose weight without having them go hungry - it can be done and it is so worth it!
Dixie is a gentle and sweet pit bull mix that we met in August of 2009 while volunteering at the sanctuary run by the Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah. She was born in March of 2000 and was brought to the shelter two years later by one of Best Friends' founders. Previously she had been taken in by a Los Angeles rescue, but it is unknown why she became homeless. Perhaps the highly publicized horror stories about this breed have unfairly kept her from finding a loving home. Pit bulls one of the most euthanized breeds in shelters, according to the ASPCA. The truth about “pit bulls”, a kind of generic name often applied to American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers, is that they, just like every animal, are individuals, not a stereotype. These dogs are often victims of abuse and neglect at the hands of people who want a vicious animal. Caregivers who know Dixie best say that she loves people and riding in cars, but she does not like female dogs very much and she is picky about her dog companions. While on an overnight stay with us, a common practice for volunteers at the sanctuary, we found Dixie to be extremely sweet, gentle, and quite a character! Unfortunately, Dixie may never have had a real home of her own.
Possum is another rescue from the Best Friend Animal Society. Possum is a "wobbly" cat. She was adopted by Cathie (who worked in the cat department) in 2004. The kitty earned her name when she was first found because, although the rest of her family had died, when her rescuer picked her up, he found that this kitty was only "playing possum". She was born with a condition called cerebellar hypoplasia (known as CH ), probably caused by her mother having feline Panleukopenia Virus during pregnancy (FPK - known as distemper in canines). FPK is preventable and treatable, but fatal if not treated. CH is not fatal, but the affected cat wobbles when moving about. Possum has adapted to her condition and does quite well in a family with other cats. Often, physically disabled animals can lead mostly normal and very happy lives if their condition is managed properly. This is another testament to the wisdom of giving disabled animals another chance at a good home. Millions of cats often go unadopted in our shelters. Open you heart to a pet whose biggest handicap may be to simply overcome invalid assumptions.

Deena was rescued by a series of people who had observed the neglect that this sweet dog was forced to endure. The family who owned Deena had gotten a smaller dog which became the “inside” dog, so Deena was kept chained in the backyard with only a hose or child's wading pool for her drinking water. Her neglected coat was long, matted and full of prickly goat heads, fox tails and feces.  A kind neighbor took Deena in because she had the perfect home in mind. Before Deena would be introduced to Joretta a groomer and devoted animal lover gave the dog a much-needed shampoo and trim. Then, coaxed by her husband, Joretta agreed to make a courtesy visit only with no intention of adopting a new friend but the determined little dog followed her every step. Naturally, Joretta just couldn't leave without this lovable pup! Deena has found her forever home with people who truly love her. 
Every animal deserves a good home. Please adopt your next superstar at your local shelter!